Most Houstonians like to stash away our tax forms as soon as we file our taxes, but that’s a mistake. When it comes to making financial decisions, you want to arm yourself with as much information as possible. One often overlooked source is your Form 1040, advises CNBC in “Use…
We’ve been so inundated with the idea of tax-free investment accounts that the taxable investment account’s role in retirement planning is underutilized and overlooked. If you’re like most Americans, you’ve got at least one and maybe a few retirement accounts. You like the tax benefits that come from having IRA's,…
It's best to know the difference between different types of Powers of Attorney before you need one, or more, of these important documents. It may be more fun to chat about exotic vacation getaways, but you will be better prepared for eventual situations if you have a basic understanding of…
Forget to make these changes and your heirs may never forgive you. Forget to align these documents, and your estate planning attorney will never forget you. Once the process of legally ending your marriage begins, you will need to make sure that your own interests are protected and that includes…
Having an emergency fund in place will help you deal with the unexpected. Surprising survey results point to this as a very weak link in many Americans’ financial plans. Seniors who have finally reached retirement age after decades of work and smart planning may think they are all set once…
Trusts are not right for everyone, so they need to be fully explored before being created. If someone says you need a trust as part of your estate plan, you should speak with an experienced estate planning attorney before moving forward. A recent post from NJ 101.5, “The disadvantages to…
We often hear about families who squander fortune; we hear less about families that preserve their wealth and values over generations. Successful entrepreneurs often struggle with estate planning when it comes to their children. Will knowledge of large inheritances to come create spoiled and unmotivated adults? How can wealth be…
Planning to leave an inheritance for your children requires a careful examination of all of your assets, and insurance could be part of that plan. Most couples use term insurance to help protect their loved ones pay the bills after they pass. A question answered in the NJ 101.5 article “Do…
Estate battles among high profile celebrities are all over the news, but can a regular person contest a will if they feel that they were unjustly treated? You may have seen a million movies where kids are cut out of a will, but when it happens to you or someone…
Celebrities without wills provide teachable moments for why “regular folks” need to have wills and estate plans in place. When Prince died, he joined the ranks of multi-millionaire celebrities with a shared legacy of failing to plan for life after they pass away. This group lives on in endless articles…